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Social Security Number: Learn how to get your NISS

If you intend to live and work in Portugal, you will certainly need to have your Social Security Number (NISS) in the European country. Therefore, today we will explain to you what the NISS is, what its functions are and how to obtain yours.

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What is the Social Security Number (NISS)?

The NISS is Portugal’s Social Security Identification Number . 

This number allows the identification of a citizen (Portuguese or foreign) in the Portuguese Social Security body. All workers who start a professional activity in the country must obtain the NISS number from the entity.

Every month, salary amounts are deducted from the Social Security fund, which are used to pay for retirement (retirement), parental leave, sick leave, unemployment, etc.

In the case of self-employed (autonomous) workers, it is the worker himself who must pay the monthly contributions to have access to these same rights.

Social Security in Portugal

Social Security in Portugal is a system that aims to ensure the basic rights of citizens who perform some professional activity or who reside in the country.

The objective of the system is to guarantee the right to Social Security and its support, ensure the improvement of social protection conditions and promote the effectiveness of its organization.

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The management and payment of the rights guaranteed by Social Security to workers in Portuguese territory is guaranteed by contributions paid by workers and by the State budget allocated to the institution.

How to get a Social Security Number

The way to obtain the NISS varies according to the work situation in Portugal, if you have an employment contract or if you are self-employed. We will explain more details about each of them below.

But, in short, the number is requested by the employer in the case of employment with an employment contract or obtained automatically for self-employed workers.

working students

Foreign students living in Portugal can also take the NISS. Especially if you are a student worker, having the NISS is essential to make Social Security contributions and guarantee your rights.

It is important to remember that holders of student visas who find a job in Portugal need to report the situation to the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), presenting the employment contract or proof of opening of activity.

Why is it important for a foreigner to have a NISS?

It is very important to have a NISS number in Portugal because it facilitates many procedures. For example, most companies only hire people who already have a NISS number.

I’ve been through that. I was about to be hired by a company, but the analysis of my documents revealed that I still didn’t have a Social Security number. Therefore, the contract was cancelled.

That’s when I started looking for jobs only in big companies, which take care of this bureaucracy for the worker. It’s much easier and you just need to take copies of your documents, sign the paperwork and get to work.

Have access to benefits

In addition, having a Social Security number also guarantees many advantages. For example, being able to count the time of service to retire, receive unemployment benefit in case of dismissal, enjoy benefits for having children, obtain parental leave, sickness benefit, among others.

Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, having a Social Security number is good for our future and for guaranteeing our rights.

What contribution should I make?

The contribution to National Insurance number for those who work for others is equivalent to 11% of their salary (except in some specific cases), an amount already deducted automatically by the employer.

For self-employed workers (in most cases), the contribution rate is 21.4% . The amount is calculated on 70% of the amount received in the previous three months. In case of sale or production of goods, the rate is charged on 20% of income.

NISS for contract workers vs. NISS for self-employed workers

contract workers

The employer is responsible for enrolling workers who begin their activity at their service, and must notify Social Security of the admission of new workers.

That is, you must present all your documents to the company and your employer must communicate your hiring to Social Security.

Contributing entities are responsible for paying the contributions and contributions of workers who have an employment contract . Contributions are related to the amount that the employer has deducted from the respective remuneration, based on the contribution rate applicable to them.

self-employed

According to Social Security, a self-employed person is a person who performs a professional activity without being subject to an employment contract or a legally equivalent contract, and is not covered by the general Social Security regime for employees for this activity. .

Until recently, self-employed workers needed to ask for their number directly from Social Security Direct.

But, according to the new rules that came into force in 2022, the NISS will be assigned automatically after the opening of activity in Finance. Shortly after opening, the Tax and Customs Authority will communicate to Social Security, which will assign a NISS and inform the worker about its framework.

The worker is classified as self-employed even if he is exempt from paying contributions. In this case, he must pay the contributions “ from the date on which the framework takes effect or the cessation of the exemption from the obligation to contribute ”, according to the Social Security website .

Is it mandatory to get a Social Security Number to work in Portugal?

Sim.

In addition to being mandatory for employees (because when signing the contract they must have a Social Security number to be able to make contributions), having this number also helps when we are not employed.

An example of this is the receipt of unemployment benefit, paid to workers in a situation of involuntary unemployment.

And, if you are working on your own, issuing green receipts , it is necessary to make contributions to Social Security (except cases of exemption), in order to also be able to take advantage of these guarantees.

Therefore, regardless of the form of work, it is necessary to contribute to Social Security to fulfill this obligation and guarantee the fulfillment of their rights.

Time for retirement in Portugal

The time to retire in Portugal and receive an old-age pension is 66 years and 7 months (in 2022) or 66 years and 4 months (in 2023), for both men and women.

The minimum contribution time is 15 years and 144 months of records of remuneration received.

In some situations, it is possible to receive the old-age pension before the minimum age. The situations are as follows:

  • Long-term unemployment;
  • Age flexibilization regime;
  • Very long careers;
  • Exercise of activity of certain functions.

Social Security Agreement between Portugal and Brazil

Portugal and Brazil have a Social Security Agreement . This agreement gives equal rights to Brazilians and Portuguese who have contributed to Social Security in Portugal and Brazil, guaranteeing workers’ rights.

With the agreement it is possible to add the years of work and contribution in one of the countries. This means that your time working with a formal contract in Brazil can be added to your time working in Portugal and vice versa.

How can I contact Social Security?

If you already have a Social Security number, you can deal with matters relating to that body through the Direct Social Security in your personal area or clear your doubts on the Social Security website .

Also, if you want to deal with any matter in person, you can look for a Social Security office near your home. Customer service contacts are available on the website.

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